Love Lock

Chapter 71 The Scoundrels! The Scoundrels!
The shopkeeper glanced at Princess Chang Le, then at Han Lei, and for a moment, he was at a loss for what to do.

Princess Chang Le is the Empress's niece; offending her would likely lead to a difficult future. But Han Lei has the Old Madam's backing, so she can't afford to offend her either.

Just as the shopkeeper was in a dilemma, Princess Chang Le suddenly spoke impatiently: "I already want this set of jewelry, and you can't sell it to her no matter who you sell it to."

Han Lei smiled gently and said, "Princess, this set of jewelry belongs to Liufutang. Whether it's for sale or not is naturally up to Liufutang. If you really like it, you can simply offer to buy it. Why resort to bullying?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Chang Le was even more enraged. Pointing at Han Lei, she cursed, "You ungrateful wretch! You dare to steal what I've set my sights on! Do you believe I'll have you thrown out right now!"

"How dare you!" The old lady stepped forward. "I am, after all, the Duchess of the State. This is a gift I prepared for my daughter-in-law. If the princess tries to take it by force, I won't mind going to His Majesty to have him judge it."

A gift for my daughter-in-law?
These words further provoked Princess Chang Le.

The old lady was Zhao Zun's mother, and she didn't want to leave a bad impression on her. But the role of daughter-in-law should have been hers, but now it belonged to Han Lei—how could she accept that?

"Madam, Chang Le didn't mean any harm to you." Princess Chang Le softened her expression and stepped forward, seemingly affectionately taking the old lady's arm. "You would certainly look elegant and noble wearing this set of headdress. But look at that wretched woman, where is she wearing any?"

Princess Chang Le constantly used the term "bitch," which greatly disgusted the old lady.

She pulled her arm away and retorted sarcastically, "We ordinary people are naturally not as noble as the princess, but my daughter-in-law, no matter how lowly her status, as long as my son likes her, as long as I think she is worthy, I am willing to buy it for her to wear."

"you……"

Princess Chang Le was not expected that the old lady would be so disrespectful to her, and her plain-looking face was instantly filled with anger.

"This is utterly absurd. They are all lowly people, lowly people."

Han Lei, however, remained unfazed. She said calmly, "Princess, please have some self-respect. This is Liufu Hall, not your princess's residence. If you continue to act so unreasonably, don't blame me for being impolite."

Princess Chang Le had never been treated like this before, and she immediately ordered her men to take action.

Just then, the old lady spoke up: "Princess Chang Le, my husband died in battle to protect Da Jing. I am a titled lady. Do you still intend to act so arrogantly in front of me?"

Everyone in the Great Jing Dynasty knows that the former Duke Zhenguo died in battle to protect the peace of the Great Jing Dynasty. Everyone respects him as a hero, and even the late emperor showed him great respect. That is why the late emperor conferred the title of Third-Rank Imperial Lady upon the wife of the Duke Zhenguo.

When Princess Chang Le saw the old lady reveal her status as a Lady of Imperial Decree, her expression changed slightly, and her tone softened immediately.

"Madam, I truly love this set of jewelry, and I hope you will part with it."

The old lady looked at her coldly and said, "Princess Chang Le, as a member of the royal family, you should be more knowledgeable and reasonable. How can you bully others like this? I have already decided to give this set of jewelry to Lei'er, so you don't need to say anything more."

Seeing that the old lady was unmoved, Princess Chang Le's face turned ashen, but she dared not say anything more. She glared fiercely at Han Lei and gritted her teeth as she spoke harshly to her.

"You just wait, one day I'll make you pay."

Knowing why Princess Chang Le wanted to compete with her for prestige, Han Lei was not afraid at all, and even made a face at Princess Chang Le.

"I'm ready anytime, I'll make you furious! Heh heh." Princess Chang Le was so angry she nearly fell over. She slammed the exquisite headdress onto the counter and turned to leave.

After Princess Chang Le stormed off in a huff, Han Lei took the old lady's hand and said gratefully, "Auntie, thank you!"

"Why thank me? With Zun'er gone, I will naturally protect you." The old lady gently patted Han Lei's hand.

Hearing the old lady say this, Zhao Ling'er covered her mouth and laughed, "Yes, yes, yes! This is all as it should be, otherwise it would be difficult to explain to my brother when I go home."

Han Lei blushed deeply after being teased by Zhao Ling'er. She felt that her future mother-in-law and sister-in-law were actually very easy to get along with.

Han Lei didn't take Princess Chang Le's harsh words to heart at all.

Anyway, they're going to Cangzhou soon, so what can Princess Chang Le do to her?
Besides, isn't it all for a set of jewelry? Once my jewelry shop opens, those modern pieces, though not particularly luxurious, will be so advanced and exquisitely designed that they'll dazzle all the women in the capital.

At that time, a vain and arrogant woman like Princess Chang Le will just be someone who rushes to give her money.

...I am a lazy dividing line...

By the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, everything that would be taken to Cangzhou from the Prince's residence had been packed into dozens of boxes of various sizes. Tomorrow, they could be loaded onto the carriage and set off directly.

Two days ago, the old lady asked Aunt Qin if she wanted to move to Cangzhou with everyone, since they were all family members of the Prince's Mansion.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Qin immediately fanned herself with a handkerchief and said with a look of disgust, "What's so good about Cangzhou? If you want to suffer in that godforsaken place, you can go by yourselves. My daughter is married in the capital, so I will stay in the capital."

The old lady sighed and said, "If you don't want to go, then we won't force you. Although you are a concubine, you have at least given birth to Zhao Qiao'er for the Zhao family. Even if our relationship hasn't been pleasant these past years, we don't know when we will be able to return to the capital. Qiao'er is already married and has her own home. It will be difficult for you, a woman, to live in the capital. So we will leave this mansion and the servants you once bribed to you!"

Zhao Zun also said that after everyone went to Cangzhou, the monthly salary issued by the imperial court would be sent to Aunt Qin.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Qin smiled, her usually well-maintained face breaking into crow's feet, and kept praising the old lady as her kind and generous grandmother.

Han Lei thought to herself, "Of course Qin Mingniang would laugh."

After everyone went to Cangzhou, only Consort Qin remained as the mistress of the Prince's mansion. She could decide how to manage the household affairs and how to act arrogantly.

The capital city is bustling and prosperous, and I can be in charge of my own affairs. This is definitely much better than going to Cangzhou with them, where the future is uncertain.

However, Han Lei was pleased that Aunt Qin didn't want to go to Cangzhou with them. It would save her from seeing Aunt Qin's sharp-tongued and mean-spirited face every day, which would only add to her distress.

After lunch, Zhao Zun sent Xiao Zhengfei with several guards ahead, riding at full speed to Qingshui County.

The imperial edict from Emperor Jing and the news that they would be departing for Cangzhou the next day to assume their posts were delivered to Luo Hai, the magistrate of Qingshui County. Luo Hai was then instructed to draft an official document to be sent to all prefectures, counties, and townships in Cangzhou.

Just as Xiao Zhengfei and his guards left the Prince's mansion, Zhao Qiao'er, dressed in gorgeous attire and accompanied by two personal maids, returned to her parents' home.

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(End of this chapter)